Puppy Preschool

[luvsdogs]

Some things to do if you don't find a suitable pre school.

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/importance-early-socialization

[Remarkabull]

I took Elsie to puppy pre-school, and I teach obedience classes myself! It wasn't about me learning stuff, it was just a great opportunity to expose her to something new... Especially as I got her close to Christmas and my agility and obedience clubs had closed for the holidays.

This. I take any pups I get to puppy school to expose them to new and different things. I tell my puppy buyers that if they attend a puppy school to take on board the things they feel will work for them but by no means do they have to follow the advice given and that they should always do their own research too.

[Beckybecbec]

Ive, just recently actualy, taken both our pups to puppy preschool/classes... whichever people want to call it... is it them same thing?

I enjoyed it, they enjoyed it and we got some invaluable skills and techniques that websites and forums cant give.

We dont have access to other pups or dogs or even kids so puppy classes were our best option

[dancinbcs]

Try private dog trainers. The best one here in Sydney is run by a professional dog trainer at her property. Much safer than at a vets and much more use than having a vet nurse teach the class. Personally I wouldn't bother with a vet nurse run course, unless the vet nurse happens to trial dogs with numerous obedience titles. Some dog clubs do run a good puppy school as a lead up to their normal classes but a private professional dog trainer would always be my pick.

[julesluvscavs]

Some vets use private professional trainers, ours does;)

Im glad we went

Edited October 5, 2013 by Jules❤3Cavs

[Kavik]

The only dog of mine I did puppy preschool with ended up being dog aggressive! I don't do puppy preschool anymore. I take puppies with me to training classes when I train the other dog and take the puppy out for some socialising and puppy training, and to trials to do the same thing, and visit friends with dogs.

[Ranger00]

Thanks for the further comments everyone.

I decided to book him into a 4 week puppy course at the local vet after all (it was on a bit of a whim actually, whilst I was at the vet with my cat). I confirmed they have had no cases of parvo there and it seems to be a relatively small class. If I'm not happy with anything that goes on in the classes I will happily forfeit the fee and not finish it off, but I feel given that he IS submissive, it might in fact make things worse to not socialise him with other dogs, and I just don't know of any other dogs that he can safely socialise with at homes/friends houses etc.

I've booked an appointment for him at the same vet on Monday to have his first check-up and then he commences the puppy class on the Wednesday night. I really hope that he has a good experience at the puppy class so that will instill positive associations with the vet too.

Hopefully I've done the right thing by him!

ETA: I then intend to commence taking him to puppy agility classes at the ACWA. I mostly want the socialisation aspect of the puppy classes at the vet, not concerned about the training as I'm confident in doing this myself.

Edited October 9, 2013 by Ranger00

[Steph M]

Sounds like a great plan of attack to me! Good on you!

[julesluvscavs]

Hope you both enjoy the puppy course Ranger, :)